New UK petition says Imran Khan unfit to become Oxford University Chancellor

LONDON: The University of Oxford has been told that former prime minister Imran Khan is trying to run for the institution’s Chancellor post to advance his personal and political goals and doesn’t have the university’s welfare at heart.

In a new petition, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) UK activist Khurram Butt has told the university that Khan wants to score political points by running a media campaign around the Chancellor’s election and will never serve the interests of the university.

Butt announced on Tuesday that he had visited the varsity for leafleting and to submit a new petition with new evidence, requesting the university not to let itself become embroiled in politics and controversy.

The petition highlighted the UK National Crime Agency's (NCA) £190 million case and alleged that the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was involved in corruption both in Pakistan and the UK.

The petition to the university reads: “We believe that Khan’s candidacy is incompatible with the values and principles that guide this prestigious institution. The concerns regarding Khan’s candidacy are rooted in a series of controversies and allegations that raise serious ethical and moral questions about his suitability for the role.”

“Imran Khan has been involved in multiple instances of corruption during his political career, including his conviction for misappropriating state gifts. In one prominent case, a set of gifts valued at over $5 million, gifted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was sold in the UAE grey market by Khan’s team after he paid a mere $100,000 for it. This and other investigations revealed that Khan had repeatedly acquired state gifts at minimal costs, profiting greatly from their resale,” according to the petition.

It further reads: “Khan’s involvement in the £190 million settlement between the UK’s NCA and Pakistani tycoon raises further concerns. The NCA directed that the sum be returned to the state of Pakistan; however, Khan’s administration reversed this decision and returned the funds to the tycoon. In return, Khan allegedly received substantial personal benefits, including land and financial gifts, under the guise of the Al Qadir Trust case. Khan’s plea seeking acquittal in the £190m NCA case has been rejected by Pakistani courts, signalling that there is evidence pointing to his involvement in the scandal.”

The petition mentioned the Financial Times (FT) article, published last year, saying: “There have been reports, including one by the Financial Times, of illegal funding Khan’s political campaigns received from discredited individuals like Arif Naqvi. Naqvi, who funded Khan through the Wootton Cricket Club, has been involved in significant financial scandals, further damaging Khan’s global reputation. Funds to the tune of millions of dollars were surreptitiously sent to Imran Khan’s party by Arif Naqvi. According to the law of Pakistan, political parties are restricted from obtaining funding from foreign sources.”

The petition said that Khan’s public statements had been criticised worldwide for their insensitivity and lack of understanding, especially concerning rape. It mentioned Khan’s “men are not robots” statement, suggesting that women’s clothing is responsible for sexual assaults. “Such remarks have incited global outrage, portraying Khan as a rape apologist and an incorrigible misogynist.”

The petition added: “Khan has publicly defended and praised the Taliban. After the fall of Kabul, he commented that Afghanistan had ‘broken the shackles of slavery’, which was perceived as an endorsement of the Taliban’s oppressive regime. Such statements reflect a deeply problematic worldview that is incompatible with the values of an institution that promotes education, critical thinking, and human rights.”

In a video statement released from outside Oxford University, Butt said that “Imran Khan resigned from his position as Chancellor of Bradford University after students threatened to bring a vote of no confidence against him due to his unavailability for university matters. This was in 2014 when the former premier's political career was still developing but now, Imran Khan’s public engagements have increased several folds, which clearly shows that this attempt to become Chancellor of Oxford University is a bid to seek attention and play politics on this campaign”.

The activist said he had told the university that Khan was under investigation in Pakistan, facing multiple charges and remains in custody. “The gravity of the accusations and the legal proceedings against him cast a shadow over his credibility and suitability to hold a prominent position like Chancellor of Oxford University. Given these factors, it is clear that Khan’s actions, associations, and public statements contradict the values upheld by Oxford University. His candidacy risks undermining the integrity and reputation of the institution, and appointing him as Chancellor would be seen by many as a validation of corruption, misogyny, and problematic ideologies.”

The petition added: “Several other members of Khan’s family have also been investigated for corrupt practices including his wife Bushra Imran, sister Dr Uzma Khan and brother-in-law Ahad Majeed. He and his family have also been investigated for misappropriation of donations given to Shaukat Khanum [Cancer Hospital]. Shaukat Khanum’s management has acknowledged that under Khan’s leadership, the institution made speculative investments in property in the UAE using donations given to Shaukat Khanum. The scandal was revealed after only a pittance of the donations were left after heavy losses. Khan is already in prison and may be sentenced for upwards of 14 years in several cases which will make it impossible for him to fulfil his obligations as Chancellor of Oxford University.”

The petition concluded: “We, therefore, urge the Election Committee to seriously reconsider his candidacy and withdraw his name from consideration for the role of Chancellor. Oxford University has always stood for academic excellence, integrity, and progressive values, and we believe Khan does not embody these ideals.”